]]>I admit it. We here in Vail have a love/hate relationship with I-70. Our friends in Aspen refer to Vail as “a highway runs through it”. Guilty as charged. On the other hand, they may not admit it but I know they’re jealous at the same time. Vail’s consistently strong economy is due in large part to the ease of traveling here. As much as we like to tell ourselves that it’s all about the mountain experience (which is certainly critical), access is also hugely important. Happily, we at the Antlers at Vail are especially lucky and once you’re in Vail, for us the highway is a non-issue. We’ve even used the marketing message, “You can’t hear or see the highway from here.” Our location at the base of Vail mountain and right on Gore Creek is simply A+. It’s quiet and yet convenient to all the amenities Vail has to offer.

We all know that the other bane of this easy-access asphalt strip of I-70 can be the occasional congestion traveling back to Denver, particularly on a Sunday afternoon. This summer, with the twin tunnel project going on near Idaho Springs (no, not Eisenhower), we’ve decided to be especially pro-active in doing our small part of easing congestion and making our weekend visitors’ travel smoother. We’re offering no-charge, unlimited late check-outs on Sundays this summer. This will enable our guests to avoid the peak traffic, while enjoying another full day in Vail, hiking, biking, shopping the Vail Farmers’ Market or whatever mountain activity our guests choose, before making that relaxing drive back to Denver. All we ask is that you let us know, so we can schedule accordingly.

Margaret Bowes is the program manager for the I-70 Coalition and its GoI70.com website, dedicated to improving visitors highway travel experience to Vail and other Colorado mountain town destinations. As one of the coalition’s tourism partners, we appreciate their efforts. So when Margaret suggested the possibility of late check-outs, in typical Antlers form we said, “Sure.” As a matter of fact, just between you and me, if you tell us your check-out time will be 7:00 PM, and then you actually leave by 8:00 Monday morning, we might just look the other way … a free night … on the condition that you promise to have fun in Vail Sunday evening.

The I-70 Coalition was originally formed in 2004 when more than 30 political jurisdictions joined forces to address transportation issues along the I-70 corridor. Private businesses have since joined the local governments in the coalition, which continues to push for implementation of highway improvement projects like the plans to add capacity on the Twin Tunnel to Floyd Hill section of I-70. In 2009 the coalition also launched GoI70.com, which includes a mobile phone app and text messaging, to inform I-travelers on traffic conditions toward improving their travel experience visiting Vail and other mountain towns. Check it out … it’s pretty cool … and then come spend Sunday with us.